Blood pressure in 57,915 pediatric patients who are overweight or obese based on five reference systems.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension in overweight or obese pediatric subjects using different national or international references, which are based either on the entire population or on normal weight children only: 188 centers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland participated in the Adipositas Patienten Verlaufsbeobachtung initiative. Data from 57,915 children aged 6 to 18 years who are overweight or obese were used to determine the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension based on Second Task Force, European pooled data, Fourth Report all and Fourth Report nonoverweight, or German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) references. Three references included overweight children, whereas 2 (Fourth Report nonoverweight and KiGGS) were based on nonoverweight children only.

[Measles epidemic in a highly developed country: low mortality, high morbidity and extensive costs].

Background: Vaccination with 2 doses of > 95% of the population is necessary to eliminate measles. In Switzerland and especially in the central part, vaccine coverage is low (2006: 65%). This led 2006-2009 to a measles epidemic with thousands of cases and high costs.

Screening for co-morbidity in 65,397 obese pediatric patients from Germany, Austria and Switzerland: adherence to guidelines improved from the year 2000 to 2010.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the adherence to current guidelines for co-morbidity screening in overweight and obese pediatric patients participating in the Adipositas-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation (APV) initiative in three German-speaking countries.

Methods: APV database: 181 centers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, specialized in obesity care, contributed standardized, anonymous data of medical examinations from 65,397 patients performed between 2000 and 2010. Completeness of screening for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose metabolism was analyzed using adjusted means.

Epidemiological and ornithological aspects of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 of Asian lineage in wild birds in Germany, 2006 and 2007.

In Germany, two distinct episodes of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of subtype H5N1 (HPAIV H5N1) in wild birds occurred at the beginning of 2006, and in summer 2007. High local densities of wild bird populations apparently sparked clinically detectable outbreaks. However, these remained restricted in (i) number of birds, (ii) species found to be affected, (iii) time, and (iv) location despite the presence of several hundred thousands of susceptible wild birds and further stressors (food shortage, harsh weather conditions and moulting).

Influence of MMR-vaccinations and diseases on atopic sensitization and allergic symptoms in Swiss schoolchildren.

The prevalence of asthma and allergic disease has increased in many countries. It has been proposed that vaccinations may contribute to the development of allergic disease by reducing clinical infections in infancy or through the direct IgE-inducing effects of the vaccines. Evidence for a potential role of immunizations in the development of allergic disease is scarce.